Naruto Chapter 304 Review

Author: Masashi Kishimoto
Scanslated by Naruto Bunshin Scanslation Team
Additional translation: Nihongaeri

[SPOILER HEAVY]

After being captured and bound Sai is subdued and Team Naruto prepare to infiltrate Orochimaru's lair. Kabuto makes a surprise appearance to scupper these plans and free Sai. However, Naruto doesn't let this attempt to one-up him go unchallenged and sets off a couple of clones to utilise Rasengan. Kabuto deflects this with a surprising degree of ease and tension is restored. Kabuto reiterates how the passing of time can change people and pities Naruto's naivety in thinking Sasuke can or wants be saved. Thankfully Sai takes this as a personal piece of motivational speech and seizes Kabuto, exclaiming that perhaps he can change as well.

He explains that the gang have helped him comprehend the bond he originally felt to his 'brother' and wants to observe the relationship between Naruto and Sasuke firsthand to gain more understanding. Kabuto drops hints about the pot-luck layout of Oroch's lair suggesting that Sasuke will be back in his quarters but equally 'a snake' could appear in the form of Orochimaru. Yamato addresses the intention to mislead them and Kabuto freely admits to it. The gang continue onward with the plan to search lair, splitting up into two groups with Sakura and Yamato in the first and Naruto and Sai in the other. With Naruto still feeling exhaustion from the earlier Kyūbi incident, he and Sai take a rest in the halls of Orochi's lair and discuss Sai's brother some more. As Sai ponders the likeness between Naruto and his brother (using his picture book as a reference), the proprietor of the establishment pays them a visit.

I found the pacing of this chapter rather strange. Many of scenes could've maintained a chapter in themselves, assuming they were given enough thought and attention, and they happened in quick succession causing a weird sense of incoherency. The quality of storytelling in this arc as a whole has been somewhat bizarre for me. The massive Kyūbi battle didn't feel as immense as it should have been, with the previous Sakura Vs. Sasori battle dwarfing it in excitement and tension, and this whole pursuit period has been needlessly drawn out with no real benefit. Still, we can't fault this chapter for making things happen.

The Kabuto confrontation was disappointing: partly because of my own expectations for the fight and partly because Kishimoto was such a tease with it. As soon as Kabuto round-houses and disables Naruto's Rasengan there's a spark of excitement in the possibilities for the forthcoming battle. If Kabuto could counter one of Naruto's mainstay attacks with such ease, what else could he handle? This was quickly negated by Sai as he disables him with a simple arm lock. Really, with a character like Kabuto whose key attacks benefit endlessly from physical contact with his foe, are we meant to believe it was that easy? The Naruto apologist in me (which is still surprisingly strong considering) wants to think this was merely a deception, but considering his subsequent attempt at mind-games I'm unsure.

Sai also continues to disappoint as a character, depending on the typical character archetype that I wish Kishimoto had subverted a wee bit more. I won't deny the scene with him and Naruto as they rest and bond was touching to an extent, but also slightly languid. For Sai to be elevated above annoying fill-in he needs to have more robust and better-realised motivations. I get the feeling Kishimoto is improvising with this character and if he's going to gain any real sympathy from the readers, with his martyr-like death continually looking inevitable, then Kishimoto needs to mix it up some more. But, as is the case with speculation halfway through, anything can potentially happen.

The art-work this chapter was actually really enjoyable, if only from a character design stand point. Naruto had a few wonderfully rendered expressions and the action, brief and fleeting as it was, remained sharp and concise. The sequential pacing grating occasionally with Kishimoto's preference to change scenes two-thirds down a page, but it didn't do much to hamper the decent level of quality throughout.

Apart from the strange inconsistencies, 304 proved to be an okay installment. Kishimoto hasn't taken advantage of our patience any further and is pushing things forward, albeit with a confusing, slap-dash approach. I still really hope this arc is resolved in the next two or three chapters. Wishful thinking, I know, what with the forthcoming Sasuke confrontation and all the opportunities to drag things out that provides. Still, if there's some more action I'll be inclined to curb any criticism. Just stop this worrying trend of undermining yourself, Kishimoto.